memory - multi-store model of memory and the working model of memory Flashcards
what are the 3 key features we use to describe memory and what does each mean?
- coding -> the format the memory is in e.g. visual acoustic
- capacity -> how much storage space available
- Duration -> how long information lasts in the memory
what 3 assumptions does the multi-store model of memory make about memory?
- there are 3 separate stores: sensory register, short term memory and long erm memory
- stores are unitary (cannot be divided)
- information is transferred through rehearsal
can you describe the sensory register in terms of capacity, duration and coding?
capacity - large but most is forgotten
duration - no longer than three seconds
coding- iconic store - visual or echoic store - auditory
can you describe the short term memory in terms of capacity, duration and coding?
capacity - 5-9 items
duration - 18-30 seconds
coding - acoustically ( words that sound similar)
can you describe the long term memory in terms of capacity, duration and coding?
capacity- unlimited
duration- can last a lifetime
coding - semantically (words that mean the same)
what research has been done to show that memory does have separate stores?
case study of HM - underwent brain surgery t remove hippocampus to control epilepsy. Could no longer produce long term memories but short term was unaffected
what research has been done into the sensory register?
SPERLING - used a tachiscope which showed 12 symbols for 1/20th of a second.
what was the findings of spellings research into the sensory register?
100% for many, although if recall was delayed by a couple of seconds recall was much poorer.
what conclusion can you make about sperling’s research into the sensory register?
capacity of sensory register is large but the duration is less than one second.
what research has been done for the duration of the short term memory?
The BROWN - PETERSON technique - pps asked to recall nonsense trigrams although to prevent rehearsal pps had to count backwards and in intervals of three seconds.
what was the findings of the brown-peterson technique?
3 second interval - 80% of trigrams recalled
9 second interval - 30 % of trigrams recalled
18 second interval - 10 % of trigrams recalled
what conclusion can you make about the brown-peterson technique?
some people can retain items for up to 30 seconds - maximum duration of STM.
what research has been done for the capacity of the short term memory?
JACOBS- lists of digits or letters were presented to pps at half second intervals. Pps had to repeat list which increased one at a time until pps could no longer recall;;
what were the findings of Jacobs research?
pps digit span was 5 - 9 items
what research has been done for the coding of the short term memory?
CONRAD - pps shown letter sequences which were either acoustically similar or dissimilar
what were the findings of Conrad’s research?
pps found it harder to recall acoustically similar sounding sequences than dissimilar - STM uses an acoustic code
what research has been done for the duration of the long term memory?
BAHRICK ET AL - 392 graduates of ages between 17-74 asked them to recall names, recognition of pictures, matching pictures to names, names to pics from their yearbooks
what were the findings of Bahrick’s et als research?
- recall of names- 50% at 3 months and 20% at 40+ years
- naming pics- 70% at 3 months and 20% at 40+ years
what conclusions can be made about Bahrick’s et als research?
LTM may last a lifetime but whether it can be accessed is dependant on the circumstances in which people try to remember.
what research has been done for the coding of the long term memory?
BADDELEY- 70 pps split in 4 groups 1 - acoustically similar 2- acoustically dissimilar 3- semantically similar 4-semantically dissimilar
what were the findings of Baddeleys research?
no difference in recall between acoustically similar and dissimilar words but difference in semantic words - LTM uses semantic code
what is a strength about the multi store model of memory?
lots of supportive evidence from lab experiments - accurate and reliable claims made about the different features of STM and LTM.
what is a criticism about the multi store model of memory?
some have argued STM consists of different components and each is responsible for processing different info - therefore its too simplistic to explain complex structure o memory.
what is a criticism about the multi store model of memory?
too simplistic for long term memory - some argue more than one type of LTM controlled by different parts of the brain.
what is a criticism about the multi store model of memory?
some argue rehearsal is not essential sometimes we remember things that have not been rehearsed and forget things that have.
who came up with the working model memory?
Baddeley and hitch
why did baddeley and hitch come up with the working model memory?
they believed STM was more complex than what it seemed in the multi-store model of memory.
what 4 components does the working memory model consist of?
central executive, phonological loop, episodic buffer, visuo-spatial scratch pad
what is the role of the central executive in the working model memory?
to allocate the working memory’s specific tasks
what is the coding and capacity of the central executive?
acoustic and limited
what is the role of the phonological loop in the working model memory?
auditory and speech based info
what is the coding and capacity of the phonological loops?
acoustic and 2 seconds
what is the role of the visuospatial sketch pad in the working model memory?
visual component - shape and colour
spatial component - arraignments of objects
what is the coding and capacity of the visuo spatial sketchpad?
visual and 3-4 objects
what is the role of the episodic buffer in the working model memory?
combines info from other slave systems and interacts with LTM.
what is the coding and capacity of the episodic buffer?
acoustic and 4 chunks of info
what research has been done for the working model memory?
case study on KF who suffered brain damage which affected STM. KF struggled with dealing with sounds but was able to complete visual tasks
what is a strength of the working model memory?
there is evidence to support - case study of KF shows there are different components of STM.
what is a criticism of the working model memory?
brain injuries can lead to a range of cognitive difficulties - cannot generalise findings from brain damaged individuals to normal people.
what is a criticism of the working model memory?
the central executive is considered most important part but very little is known about it.
